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Paw Paw Tunnel Towpath Open
The rockslide at Paw Paw Tunnel towpath has been cleared. The towpath is now open for hikers and bikers.
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Georgetown Boat Rides Suspended
Boat rides at Georgetown are suspended until further notice. For a mule-drawn boat ride please contact Great Falls Tavern.
Great Falls Canal Boat Rides
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Please note the 2013 schedule is subject to change. We will attempt to keep this webpage as up-to-date as possible. 
Great Falls Mule Drawn Boat Rides Take a trip back in time to the 1870's! Ride along the historic C&O Canal in a boat pulled by mules. Experience rising 8 feet in a lock. Hear park rangers in period clothing describe what life was like for the families that lived and worked on the canal. Enjoy life at a slower pace. $8.00 for adults (ages 16-61), $6.00 for seniors (ages 62 +), and $5.00 for children (ages 4-15). Children aged three and under ride free. Ten or more people are required to make advance reservations on either boat. Otherwise, seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Charles F. Mercer boat capacity is 60 people. The boat programs last approximately one hour. Public Boat Tours: Offered April through October, Wednesday- Sunday. Wednesday-Friday public rides are at 11:00am and 3:00pm. Saturday and Sunday public rides are at 11:00am, 1:30pm and 3:00pm. Please call ahead as special circumstances may affect this schedule. School Groups: 9:45am, 11:00 am, 12:15p.m. and 3:00pm Wednesday-Friday Rates of $5 per person are sometimes available for groups of students (includes chaperones). Please call 301-767-3714 for details. |
Did You Know?
Most freight boats on the C&O Canal were approximately 95 feet long and 14.5 feet wide while most locks were 100 feet long and 15 feet wide. This left boat captains little margin for error as they steered their boats into the locks, trying to avoid the $5.00 fine for damaging lock masonry.